Things are likely to be a bit quiet here at afreeman.org for the next few days. The crew (excepting dog) are off across the North Sea today for a trip to the land of moose and Malmo, of socialism and Saabs. That’s right, while most Britons are donning their sunglasses and shorts and heading for the Caribbean or the Canaries we’ll be boarding a bus with wings tomorrow afternoon for the two hour hop to Göteborg, Sweden.

What we do for family – we’ve already spent a week in the frozen tundra of northern Ontario in December to see my family. Now a trip to the only place in the world that may be slightly gloomier than Britain in February to see Dr. O’C’s sister and her family.

Still, it’s nice to get away from home and this trip will give me more opportunities to teach English profanity to Swedish children. Truth be told, I’m a secret admirer of Sweden, though more in the summer than winter. It’s clean – which is a big deal when you live in the plastic shopping bag and beer can adorned British Isles. Their brand of socialism really seems to work – the country’s infrastructure is amazing, family leave is encouraged, crime rates are extremely low, and the people are sickeningly healthy and attractive. The only problem is that when you talk to some Swede’s they have lots of complaints about tax rates, idlers and the like. Sweden also recently elected a more conservative government. Makes me wonder if it’s kind of Stepford socialism.

Musically, of course, Sweden is best known for the tin foil (barely) clad quartet above, but more recently it’s become a hotbed for scary euro death metal – it’s those dark winters. In the past few years a few decent indie acts have come out of Sweden including Göteborg’s own José González, Stockholm-based Peter, Bjorn and John and my recent favorite Kent. Check out “Klåparen” and see what you think. The lyrics are Swedish, so I have know idea what they are singing about but, for what it’s worth, I think the title translates as “bungler”.

Speaking of Scandanavian music, I seem to have become some kind of correspondent for the Danish music scene since my review of a strange Danish punk band after Christmas. Now, a Danish act doesn’t really belong in a post about Sweden as the Danes and the Swedes have been arch-enemies pretty much since Hamlet’s time, but since I have Scandanavia on the brain I thought I’d share a song from Marybell Katastrophy. The Danish trio is getting ready to release their second EP “You Are The Two” as a pay-what-you-want download (thanks, Radiohead). I’ve attached “Hip” from their first EP for your listening evaluation. I’m not sure what to make of Marybell Katastrophy or their lead singer Marie Højlund. Bjork would be a lazy comparison as a Scandanavian electronic artist, and they don’t have her range. The Danish trio kind of sits at that strange girl table in the lunchroom – you know, the one with Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Siouxsie Sioux and Joanna Newsom. If you like what you hear, go and download their tunes – a warning, though, their website is one of the most user unfriendly I’ve run across in a while.

Finally, in celebration of aluminum foil adorned Swedish flesh – here’s Abba’s “S.O.S”. Have a good weekend, folks.

Image Credits:

Abba

The images of Goteborg harbor and the city at night are mine.

Kent has albums available from Kent and Amazon. Abba’s “Gold” is available fromABBA - ABBA - Gold - Greatest Hits and Amazon.

 
icon for podpress  Kent - "Klåparen": Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 
icon for podpress  Marybell Katastophy - "Hip" [3:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 
icon for podpress  ABBA - "S.O.S" [3:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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